Alex Eala, Bryan Bagunas named PH flag bearers for 2025 SEA Games opening ceremony

Alexandra “Alex” Eala and Bryan Bagunas have been named as the flag bearers of the Philippines for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

The Philippine Olympic Committee announced the development on Tuesday.

“Popularity aside, Alex and Bryan have made impacts in the global sports community, and that makes them the best choice to carry the flag in the SEA Games,” POC president Abraham Tolentino said in a statement.

Eala had a historic season this year as she made waves in international tennis.

The Philippine tennis star made a remarkable run in the Miami Open back in March, which propelled her into the WTA Top 100. She eventually made her Grand Slam main-draw debuts in the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, where she reached the second round. She then won her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara in September before finishing the season with a career-high ranking of No. 50 in November.

Bagunas, meanwhile, was one of the leaders of the Alas Pilipinas men’s squad, which defeated Egypt in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

“It’s about the inspirational appeal, the motivation, and the hard work that lead to accomplishment—those make an athlete, or athletes, the best choice for the chore,” Tolentino added.

The Philippines has been assigned around 200 delegates to attend the opening parade, and it will also send its biggest delegation yet, with about 1,700 athletes.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News